Intelligence in Sexual Assault Investigations

In a sexual assault investigation the law enforcement investigator’s mental approach should be to determine if a crime was or wasn’t committed. The law enforcement investigator who is assigned to the Special Assault Unit, must be able to demonstrate their level of intelligence when investigating a sexual assault allegation. Many investigators who have received minimal education and training must rely on their intuition and intelligence. If the investigator is incapable of utilizing their critical thinking skills, then determining if a crime was committed or not will become frustrating and difficult for the investigator and the parties involved in the criminal investigation. The community knows if the investigator is competent and intelligent. Therefore, investigators need to obtain as much education and training as possible and with their intuition and intelligence be capable of solving minor to complex investigations. The investigators credibility as a law enforcement officer will be questioned if they fail to demonstrate they understand the basic investigative protocols and procedures. If the credibility and reliability of the investigator is questionable then a sexual offender may be released back into the community and/or an innocent person can be sent to jail/prison for a crime he/she didn’t commit. In this video Lawrence W. Daly, Chief Sexual Assault Investigative Educator for the One Daly Corporation raises several issues surrounding the concerns of identification in a sexual assault investigation.